Machine for making bases for incandescent electric lamps.



A 4SHEETS-SHEET PATBNTED NOV. 8. 1904.

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A. SWAN.

APPLICATION FILED MARv 25 aqlfred Swan by a M I tty.

MACHINE FOR MAKING BASES FOR INGANDESGENT ELECTRIC LAMPS.

NO MODEL.

PATENTED NOV. 8. 1904.

A. SWAN. MACHINE FOR MAKING BASES FOR INGANDESCENT ELECTRIC LAMPS.

ABPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1901.

4 SEBETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

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Eunnw 4 Inventor. 0Q lfrecl Swan, M aqfizy.

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Witnesses PATENTED NOV. 8,1904.

. A. SWAN. MAGHINE FOR. MAKING BASES FOR INOANDES CENT ELECTRIC LAMPS.

APPLICATION TILED MAR. 25. 1901.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

NO MODEL.

1 1 1 1 1 1 ,1 11 1 I1 1 1 1 /1 1/ x 1 1 l/I W l 7 7 /fl////// 11 //1//1 1 1 1 No.774A03. PATENTED NOV. 8. 1904.

A. SWAN. MACHINE FOR MAKING BASES FOR INOANDESOBNT ELECTRIC LAMPS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25. 1901.

no MODEL.

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III/a[ml/0001 111111001! Witnesses I M g Inventor 5' WM; @[QQJ v yUNITED STATES Patented November 8, 1904.

PATENT OFEIcE.

ALFRED SVAN, OF NETV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY,A CORPORATION OF NEVVYORK.

MACHINE FOR MAK|NG BASES FOR INCANDESCENT ELECTRIC LAMPS- SPEGIFIOATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 774,403, dated November 8, 1904.

' Application filed March 25, 1901.

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED SWAN, a subject of the King of Great Britain,residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and usefullmprovements in Machines for Making Bases forIncandescent Electric Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to glass-molding machines, the particular objectbeing the manufacture of an improved base for incandescent electriclamps.

The bases of Edison lamps are commonly composed of a brass shell, whichconstitutes one terminal of the filameni, and a centrallypositionedcontact constituting the other terminal of the filament, the two beingheld in definite relation by a plaster-of-paris filling. Sometimes aporcelain compound is used in place of the plaster-of-paris. The type ofbase to which this invention relates is similar in some respects to theporcelain type, but is cheaper to manufacture. The brass shell andcenter contact are connected rigidly together by a web of glass in whichboth parts are firmly seated. A construction of this kind was fullydescribed in a companion application, Serial No. 53,882, filed by me onor about April 1, 1901. My present invention relates to the manufactureof these bases, although some of its features are applicable to otherproducts.

In carrying out the invention I provide a furnace in which the glassmixture is maintained in fusion in a state of free mobility, so that theglass mixture will flow freely like water. Gas and air pipes are appliedto the furnace and means provided by which the heat may be maintained tokeep the glass in a fluid condition. In the bottom of the furnace is asmall opening, through which, while the machine is running, the glass ispermitted to flow in an uninterrupted stream, means being provided forshutting off the stream when the machine is stopped. Beneath the furnaceis a group of molds or supports in which the parts of the lamp-base orother article to be molded are set, these molds preferably beingarranged so that while some of the bases arein process semi No. 52,707,(No model.)

of. being filled with liquid glass and pressed into shape others are ina position to be assembled by the operator or operators. The molds arecarried on a rotary head adapted to have an interrupted movementcontrolled automatically by the machine, by which the assembled parts ofthe base are brought first beneath the stream of fluid glass and heldthere for a sufficient interval to receive the proper amount of theglass to constitute the web between the shell and center contact, afterwhich the mold and shell which it carries are quickly shifted beneath adie, where the glass is pressed into shape, firmly uniting the parts ofthe base. Another automatic movement of the machine then ejects thefinished base and consecutively brings other bases beneath the stream ofmolten glass and die. By permitting the stream of glass to flowuninterruptedly the aperture in the bottom of the furnace does not clogup, and the machine is always in condition to supply the bases fed bythe rotary carrier with glass of the best working consistency. Whilethese improvements are of particular advantage in the manufacture oflamp-bases, certain features are applicable also to other uses where itis desired to cheaply mold such a material as glass.

My invention therefore comprises in a generic sense a molding-machinehaving a reservoir of fused material and means for shifting a moldbeneath a feed-opening from the reservoir to receive a charge of themolten material and then bring it beneath'a die for giving it a definiteshape.

It comprises also in a broader sense a new process of working glass,which consists in maintaining it in a mobile fluid condition,discharging it directly into a mold, and then pressing it into shape bymeans of a die. No claim is, however, made for this method in thepresent application, being reserved for a companion application formingadivision of this, Serial No. 124:,900, filed September 26, 1902.

It involves also various features of construc tion, which will behereinafter more fully described and will be definitely indicated in theclaims appended to this specification. r

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention, Figure 1is a sectional elevation of a machine embodying my improvements. Fig. 2-is an elevation on a plane at right angles to that of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isa top plan, the furnace being in section on line 0 m of Fig. 1. Fig. 4is a partial sectional elevation on a plane at right angles to that ofFig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of one of the base-carriers.Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of the arrangement for ejecting the[inished base, being a section on line a" y of Fig. 3; and Fig. 7 is adetail view of the clutch controlling the intermittent feed of the basesand of the cam for controlling the same.

1 represents a glass-furnace made of firebrick or other refractorymaterial, to which gas and air are fed in regulated volumes to furnishthe necessary heat to keep the glass melted by means of pipes 2 2 3 3 atthe sides of the furnace, from which branch pipes communicate on eachside of the furnace with a pluralityof pipes ornozzles t lz f WVithinthe furnace is a melting-pot, the walls of which are made of refractorymaterial and which is provided with two chambers communicating with oneanother through an opening 5 at or near the bottom of an intermediatepartition or diaphragm dividing the pot into two chambers. The largerchamber is intended to receive the frit or raw material from which theglass is made, containing a percentage of cullet or broken glass whichafter the machine has been running may be supplied from the part of theglass passing through the aperture in the pot and not used in the bases.The bottom of the pot is channeled, as indicated in Figs. 1, 3, and 1,to secure a uniform distribution of the hot gases of combustion. Thearrows in Figs. 1, 3, and 1 show the manner of effecting thisdistribution. The furnace is provided with a charging-hole 6, which maybe closed when in action by a sliding door 7. Flues 8 8, leading to thechimney, provide a draft which may be regulated by dampers 9 9, and adamper 10 is provided, as shown in Fig. 4, to place the upper part ofthe furnace in direct communication with the chimney. In the bottom ofthe small chamber of the melting-pot is a conical recess 11,communicating with a small bore 12, against which is normally held whenthe machine is in action a perforated button 13, of porcelain or otherrefractory material, mounted on an iron arm 14, adapted to be controlledby a hand-lever is supported the molding apparatus. An iron pin 18,having a conical tip, is arranged to close and open the glass-feedopening at the pleasure of the operator and is controlled by afoot-lever 19, linked to a spring-pressed rod 20, carrying a crank 21,in which the pin 18 is mounted. The rod 20 is contained in a fixed tube22, in the wall of which is a right-angled slot 23, through whichprojects a pin mounted on an extension of the spring-pressed rod. Thusthe operator by shifting laterally the treadle l9 permits thespring-pressed rods to be shifted in the slot 23 and brings the taperingpin 18 into the feed-opening of the melting-pot. It may be removed bypressing the treadle with the foot and then pushing it in the oppositedirection, so as to lock the pin in the angle of the slot.

Beneath the furnace is a rotary head pro vided with a plurality of arms2 2 1, &c., of

which four are shown in the type of machine illustrated. This head ismounted on a rotary spindle carrying a loose gear driven by a worm=wheel26 in gear with the worm 27, mounted on the drive-shaft of the machine.A clutch 28, feathered on the shaft secured to the rotary head, isadapted to be shifted downwardly (see Figs. 1 and 4:) to clutch the gear25 to the spindle. In the position shown in Fig. 1 the gear has beendisconnected and the head is in a position of rest, cooperatingclutch-jaws on the sleeve and a fixed part of the frame holding theparts in a position of rest. The clutch is shifted by means of a cam 29,driven by the shaft on which the wormwheel 26 is mounted. This cam isshown in detail in Fig. 7 provided with two diametrically oppositeprojections cooperating with a roller 30, carried by a pivoted lever, towhich is linked by a rod 31 a shiftinglever 32, pivoted to the clutch.In the position shown in Fig. 7 the clutch has just been thrown out ofaction, which, as will be seen, is effected instantly, disconnecting therotary spindle from the driving-gear and bringing it to rest byengagement of the upper clutch members 33. It is important that thisposition should. be perfectly definite, since it is the position inwhich one base is in position to receive the molten glass and another inposition to be pressed by the die. I therefore provide an auxiliaryal'ining device consisting of a spring-pressed pin 31, (see Fig. 1,)mounted on the bench and raised or lowered into the plane of rotation ofthe base-carrying arm. The upper part of this rod enters a recess in therotary arms, as indicated at 35, and this brings the parts of the basein accurate alinement with the die 36, presently to be described. Eachof the arms of the rotary head is provided with a plate 37, having acentral recess through which projects a spring-pressed pin 38, mountedon the end of an adjusting-screw 39 and carried by aspring-pressed tube40, in the lower end of which are mounted rollers 41 41 These rollers,as the head is rotated, ride under stationary guides 42 42 havinginclined deflecting edges to shift the tube downwardly and withdraw thepin 38 from the plate 37. A row of pins 43, arranged in a circle, forman open receptacle for the shell of the lamp-base, and the pin 38steadies the center contact.

The parts in an assembled position, with the closed web pressed intoshape, are shown in Fig. 5. Thus it will be apparent that when the headis rotated, being shifted a quarter of a revolution in the present typeofmachine each time the head is clutched to the drivegear, the twopieces of the lamp-base in one of the arms are brought beneath themeltingpot and the stream of glass fed into the shell. It is held inthis relation for a short period while the cam 29, Fig. 7, makes ahalf-revolution, after which it is put in clutch with the gearing andrapidly shifted beneath the die, being centered in accurate relationthereto by means of the clutch members 33 and pin 34, as alreadydescribed. hen beneath the die, the plate 44, Fig. 1, will be shifteddownwardly, so as to surround the upper part of the shell, and the die36 brought against the soft charge in the shell. These movements areeffected by means of two cams. (Seen in side elevation in Fig. 1 and inend elevation in Fig. 2.) The cams are each provided with cam-grooves46, angularly displaced relatively to one another, as seen in Fig. 2. Inthe grooves are rollers connected to pivoted rods 47 48, whichrespectively shift the die and the plate 44. The cam-grooves have asomewhat different shape, as seen in Fig. 2, by which the plate 44 isshifted first around the shell and is withdrawn after the die has beenremoved from the base. After the glass has been pressed into shape theclutch is again operated and the rotary head shifted, carrying thefinished basepast the cam-plates 42 42, (shown in Fig. 3,) by which thepins carried by the spring-pressed tube 40 are lowered away from thelamp-base, and a bar 49 (see Figs. 3 and 6) sweeps the base from the armand permits it to drop into the receptacle under the operators bench.

It is-sometimes desirable to remove a base from the machine beforereaching the die if the parts should have received too much material orreceive it improperly from the furnace. In such a case the operator maywithdraw the shell before reaching the die by operating a treadle 50, towhich is connected a spring-pressed rod 51, on the upper part of whichis mounted a camplate 52. This normally lies above the rollers 41 41,attached to the base-carrying tube; but when the treadle 50 is operatedit is depressed, so as to be in the plane of rotation of the rollers,and has a cam-face, which operates in the same manner as the cams 42 42,already described, serving to withdraw the pins and free the lamp-base,

which drops into a receptacle beneath the operators table.

Thus it will be seen that all parts of the melting operation areautomatic except the assembling of the parts in the molds or carriers.As two of the arms on the four-part rotary head are always free to theoperator, he may assemble the parts of these arms while the other twoare under the glass-feed and the die, respectivel y.

The molten glass flowing when the arms are in the act of being shiftedmay be received in a box or vessel on the floor and is useful as culletfor mixing with the raw material of which the glass is made and which isnecessary to the manufacture of good glass.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is

1. A machine for making bases for incandescent lamps, comprising areservoir for insulating material, having a feed-outlet open during theentire operation of the machine whereby a continuous stream of moltenmaterial flows therefrom, a plurality of molds arranged to receive themetallic parts of a base and hold them in proper relative position,means for shifting the molds intermittently into the path of the stream,means for maintaining a predetermined dwell of each mold under thestream, and means for compressing the molten material into a definiteshape.

2. A glass-molding apparatus comprising, in combination, a reservoir formolten glass, means for heating the glass therein, said reservoir havinga feed-opening for supplying a continuous stream of molten glass, aplurality of molds, means for shifting them intermittently into the pathof the stream, means for maintaining a predetermined dwell of each moldunder the stream to assure a definite quantity of delivered material,and an automatically-operated die for compressing the molten glass intoa definite shape.

3. A machine for making bases for incandescent lamps, comprising areservoir of fluid glass metal having a feed-outlet open during theentire operation of the machine whereby a continuous stream of moltenglass flows therefrom, a'mold arranged to receive the metallic parts ofthe base and hold them in proper relative position, means for shiftingthe mold into and out of the stream, a die for compressing the glass inthe mold, and means operated by the machine for removing the finishedarticle from the mold.

4. A glass-molding machine, comprising a reservoir of fluid glass metalhaving a feedoutlet open during the entire operation of the machinewhereby a continuous stream of molten glass flows therefrom, a mold,means for intermittently shifting it into the stream, an automatic dieoperating on the material in the mold after it is withdrawn from thestream,

and a plug for stopping the feed when the machine is out of action.

means for shifting them successively under I the stream to receive aregulated quantity of glass, a die for compressing the material in themolds, and means for retaining the compressed article in position whilethe die is being withdrawn.

6. A machine for making bases for incandescent lamps, comprising areservoir for molten glass metal having a feed-outlet open during theentire operation of the machine whereby a continuous stream of moltenglass flows therefrom, a rotatory frame beneath the same, molds mountedthereon arranged to hold the base parts in proper relative posi tion,means for shifting them successively under the stream and out of it, areciprocating die mounted in operative relation to the mold after beingwithdrawn from the stream, and means for depressing the die.

7. A machine for making lamp-bases, comprising a reservoir for moltenglass, means for heating the glass therein, said reservoir hav ing afeed-opening for delivering a continuously-flowing stream of fluidglass, a rotatory frame beneath the reservoir, a plurality of moldscarried by the frame arranged to hold the base parts in proper relativeposition, a po wer-driven member, a periodically-operated clutch betweenthe frame and said member, a die, means for arresting rotation when themolds are in definite relation to the stream and die, and gearing fordepressing the die when a mold containing the base parts and a charge offluid glass is brought beneath it.

8. A machine for making lamp-bases, comprising a reservoir for molteninsulating material having a feed-outlet open during the entireoperation of the machine, whereby a continuous stream of molten materialflows therefrom, a power-driven shaft, a mold arranged to receive themetallic parts for a base and hold them in proper relative position, aframe carrying the mold and a clutch for pcriodically connecting it withthe shaft, said mold crossing the stream of molten material, a die inthe path of the mold, a detent for arresting the mold under the streamand die, and a power-operated cam for depressing the die when the moldis detained under it.

9. A machine for making lamp-bases, comprising a rotatory frame carryinga receptacle for the base parts arranged to hold the parts in properrelative position, a reservoir having a continuously-open orificedelivering a continuously-flowing stream of molten insulating material,means for bringing the receptacle into the stream and maintaining itthere for a predetermined time so that the base parts receive a definitecharge of the insulating material, an automatically'operated dielaterally displaced from the feed device for forming the material aboutthe base parts, and a stoppin for arresting the parts in exact alinementwith the feed and die.

10. In a machine for making lamp-bases, in combination with means forfeeding a continuously-fiowing stream of molten insulating material, arotatory head, a plurality of receptacles for the base parts carried bythe head, means for connecting the head periodieally with a power-shaftand operating to bring one of the receptacles into the stream at eachmovement, and a die for compressing the material in the receptaclesafter leaving the stream.

11. A machine for making lamp-bases, comprising a rotatory headcontaining a plurality of receptacles for the several base parts, aslid,- ing clutch for connecting it with a powershaft, a cam driven bythe shaft-controlling engagement of the clutch, means for arresting thehead when the clutch is disengaged, and

means for feeding a fusible insulating compound between the base partsduring a clutch disengagement.

12. Amachine for makinglamp-bases, comprising a rotatory head containinga receptacle for the base parts, a vertically-movable guide for saidparts, means for feeding an insulating compound to unite the parts, andmeans for shifting the guide to free the base.

13. A machine for making lamp-bases, comprising a rotatory headcontaining a receptacle for the base parts, a clutch for intermittentlyarresting rotation, means for feeding an insulating compound between theparts to support them, a die for pressing it into shape, a moldplate toinclose the shell, and a cam for moving the die to and from the baseparts.

let. A machine for making lamp-bases, comprising a rotatory headcontaining a plurality of receptacles for the base parts, means forfeeding a fused insulating compound between said parts, a die to shapesaid compound, means for withdrawing the finished base, and a deviceaccessible to the operator for removing the base before completed ifdesired.

15. A machine for making lamp-bases, comprising a rotatory head carryinga plurality of receptacles for the base parts, means for feeding aninsulating compound to said parts, a die to shape the compound, a plateto retain the base in position while the die is being withdrawn, andmeans for automatically Withdrawing the completed base.

16. A machine for makinglamp-bases, comprising a receptacle for the baseparts, means for feeding insulating material to the parts when heldtherein, a die mounted in operative relation to the receptacle forshaping the insulating material, and means independent of said die forretaining the base in position while the die is being withdrawn.

17. Amachine for makinglamp-bases, comprising a rotatory head, moldscarried thereby arranged to receive the metallic parts for a base andhold them in proper relative posi tion, a reservoir for molteninsulating material having a feed-outlet, means for shifting the headintermittently to bring amold into cooperative relation to saidfeed-outlet, means for feeding a charge of the material to the mold tounite the base parts but insulate them one from another, and means forejecting the finished base from the mold.

18. A machine for making lamp-bases comprising a receptacle arranged toreceive the two contacts for a base and hold them in proper relativeposition one within the other, means for feeding insulating material tothe contacts to unite them, and a die to shape the material, said dieand receptacle being so made that a hollow space is left through theinsulating material to the inner contact.

19. In a machine for making lamp-bases, a receptacle for the base parts,one of said parts having an opening therethrough, means for feedinginsulating material to the base parts,

and a die to shape the material, said die and receptacle being so madethat the material is prevented from closing the opening in the basepart.

20. In a machine for making lamp-bases, in

combination with means for feeding a continuously-flowing stream ofinsulating material, a receptacle for the base parts, one of said partshaving an opening therethrough, a die to shape the material in thereceptacle, and means for moving the receptacle into the stream and intocooperative. relation to the die, said die and receptacle being so madethat the material is prevented from closing said opening in the basepart.

21. Amachinefor making lamp-bases, comprising a rotatory head, areceptacle for the base parts carried thereby, means for feedinginsulating material to unite the parts, means for shifting the parts ofthe receptacle relatively to free the base, and means to sweep the basewhen freed from the receptacle.

22. A machine for making lamp-bases, comprising a rotatory head, areceptacle for the base parts carried thereby substantially cylindricalin shape, a central pin in said recep tacle, means for feedinginsulating material to the base parts held in said receptacle to unitethem, and means for moving the pin and sides of the receptaclerelatively to the bottom to free the base.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of March,1901.

' ALFRED SWAN.

Witnesses:

S. WV. WHITEHEAD, JOHN E. MITCHELL, Jr.

